Local Politics
Voters in California decided all 80 state Assembly seats in the November 3, 2026, midterm elections. Key races included contests in the Sacramento region, North Bay, Central Valley, and Southern California. Unofficial results were updated as counties counted ballots, with vote-by-mail ballots postmarked by Election Day eligible for counting if received by November 10. County certification of results was required by December 3, followed by final state certification on December 11.
Community News · Imperial County
Imperial Valley Transit, the Imperial Valley Food Bank, and the Imperial County Transportation Commission launched their annual "Stuff-A-Bus" holiday food drive on Nov. 2, running through Nov. 20. Riders who hand a canned or shelf-stable food item to their driver upon boarding any IVT fixed-route bus receive one free ride in return. All collected goods go to the Imperial Valley Food Bank to supply holiday meals to residents throughout Imperial County. Non-riders can drop off non-perishable items at the IVT Administration Office at 792 E. Ross Road in El Centro. The free-ride exchange applies only to IVT fixed-route lines and is not valid on IVT Ride, IVT Access, or Calexico on Demand.
Public Safety · El Centro, CA
The El Centro Police Department received a $72,000 traffic safety grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The program runs through September 2027 and will fund targeted patrols, officer training, and public outreach aimed at reducing speeding, reckless driving, distraction, and impairment on local roadways. Department officials said the initiative combines enforcement with community education to prevent crashes and serious injuries.
Crime · Calexico, CA
Three juveniles were booked into Imperial County Juvenile Hall over the weekend following a late-night vehicle pursuit through Calexico. Night-shift officers spotted a stolen Hyundai and attempted a traffic stop; the driver refused to yield, triggering a chase through local streets during which a passenger displayed a handgun from the window before it was thrown onto the roadway. The pursuit ended when the vehicle became disabled, and all three occupants fled on foot but were taken into custody without further incident. Police recovered the discarded firearm at the scene, and no injuries were reported.
